Ever use a "Spiral" Rod?

Saw a web site the other day where the guy custom makes these "Spiral" guide fishing rods, mostly big rods for deep-sea fishing but they could be used for big catfish as well.

They're a baitcasting rod but the guides spiral around from the top of the rod to the bottom within the bottom 2 or 3 guides, so it acts like a spinning rod on the end with the guides below the blank rather than on top as with a baitcasting rod. Supposed to be superior to a "traditional" baitcasting rod.

As far as them being superior to a "traditional" baitcasting rod I am unsure of that. They were first used as a proto type for the handicap but have been adapted to other styles of fishing. They are very good rods but they cost a little more to make. The real difference in the construction is the spine of the rod is placed like you would for a spinning rod. But the handle and reel seat are set up for a casting rod.

my wife has one and she just dont like it at all it dont cast well for her i can get longer casts with it then she can. sure glad we didnt pay much for it it was in a big lot of fishing gear we boguth from a guy.

You can count on losing 10-15% of your casting distance.
There are advantages to each type of rod and these type rods take the best from both and combine it.
I think the idea itself is over a hundred years old and was first used in Europe.
I've built several myself and still have a light action one with a custom solid oak reelseat.
I used metallic candy apple red, silver, and gold threads on that rod with a diamond buttwrap along with gold double footed Fuji eyes put in place with a 3 color thread wrap.
It's my looker.